Post driver and methodology

Abstract

A post driver includes a sleeve for supporting a post as the post is driven into the ground and a driver for driving the post into the ground while the post is supported by the sleeve. The sleeve defines a channel that is dimensioned and arranged to receive the post so that the post can slide through the channel as the post is driven into the ground and the driver is dimensioned and arranged to slide over the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve extends to the right height above ground and one embodiment includes a spade attached to a lower end of the sleeve for breaking the ground. A method of driving a post into the ground includes the steps of providing a sleeve for supporting the post as the post is driven into the ground and a driver for driving the post into the ground while the post is supported by the sleeve. The user places the post within the sleeve, the driver over the post and the sleeve, and the post and the sleeve in a generally vertical position at a location on the ground where the post is to be driven. The user then operates the driver to drive the post into the ground, preferably breaking the ground first using a spade on the end of the sleeve. Driving the post until the upper end of the post is even with the upper end of the sleeve automatically sets post height.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A post driver apparatus, comprising: means defining a sleeve for supporting a post as the post is driven into the ground;   means defining a driver for driving the post into the ground while the post is supported by the sleeve;   the sleeve defining a channel that is dimensioned and arranged to receive the post so that the post can slide through the channel as the post is driven into the ground;   the driver being dimensioned and arranged to slide over the sleeve in order to drive the post through the channel into the ground;   said driver including means for supporting an upper portion of the post as the post is driven into the ground with the driver; and   said means for supporting including an inwardly extending rib attached to the driver, the rib extending toward the upper portion of the post as the post is driven into the ground with the driver.   
     
     
       2. A apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a length sufficient to extend from the ground substantially to a height to which the post is to be driven. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes spade means attached to a lower end portion of the sleeve for enabling a user to break the ground into which the post is to be driven. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the spade means includes a blade member and at least one step member configured for a user to step upon in order to force the blade member into the ground. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a C-shaped cross section, the rib extending into the channel when the driver is placed telescopingly over the sleeve. 
     
     
       6. A post driver apparatus, comprising: means defining a sleeve for supporting a post as the post is driven into the ground;   means defining a driver for driving the post into the ground while the post is supported by the sleeve;   the sleeve having a length sufficient to extend from the ground to a height to which the post is to be driven;   the sleeve having a C-shaped cross section and defining a channel that is dimensioned and arranged to receive the post so that the post can slide through the channel as the post is driven into the ground;   the sleeve including spade means attached to a lower end portion of the sleeve for enabling a user to break the ground into which the post is to be driven;   the spade means including a blade member and at least one step member configured for a user to step upon in order to force the blade portion into the ground;   the driver being dimensioned and arranged to slide over the sleeve in order to drive the post through the channel into the ground; and   the driver including means for supporting an upper portion of the post as the post is driven into the ground with the driver, said means for supporting an upper portion of the post including an inwardly extending rib attached to the driver, the rib extending toward the upper portion of the post as the post is driven into the ground with the driver.   
     
     
       7. A post driver apparatus for driving a post into the ground, said apparatus comprising: an elongated sleeve adapted to slidably receive the post so the post can be driven relative to the sleeve and into the ground;   a driver telescoped over the sleeve so that the driver can be moved longitudinally of the sleeve; and   said driver having a driving surface for striking the upper end of the post to drive the post into the ground as the driver is moved longitudinally on the sleeve.   
     
     
       8. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the sleeve has a lower end and the apparatus includes means adjacent the lower end of the sleeve for entering the ground. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the sleeve has an upper end which serves as a stop to control the extent to which the post can be driven into the ground and the height of the post above the ground. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as described in claim 7 including cooperating means on the sleeve and driver for supporting an upper portion of the post as the post is driven into the ground. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the sleeve has a longitudinally extending slot and the driver has a post support member which extends through the slot and which is engageable with the post to support the post. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the sleeve has an elongated channel extending longitudinally through the sleeve for receiving the post, said sleeve having a rear wall, opposite end walls coupled to the rear wall and first and second flanges joined to the end walls and extending toward each other to define said slot, said walls guiding and supporting the post, said slot extending to the upper end of the sleeve, a blade coupled to a lower end of the sleeve, said post support member being elongated in the direction of elongation of the sleeve, said driver having a closed upper end defining the driving surface and handles on the driver for moving the driver on the post. 
     
     
       13. A method of driving a post into the ground comprising: providing a post having an upper end with the post being within an elongated sleeve and with the sleeve slidably receiving the post so the post can be driven relative to the sleeve and into the ground;   telescoping a driver having a driving surface over the sleeve and post; and   moving the driver longitudinally on the sleeve to cause the driving surface to strike the upper end of the post to drive the post relative to the sleeve and into the ground.   
     
     
       14. A method as described in claim 13 wherein the sleeve has a lower end, the apparatus includes a member adjacent the lower end adapted to enter the ground and including forcing the member into the ground. 
     
     
       15. A method as described in claim 14 wherein the step of forcing includes forming a hole in the ground with the member and the method includes swaying the sleeve to form an enlarged hole in the ground and placing a lower end of the post in the enlarged hole. 
     
     
       16. A method as described in claim 13 wherein the sleeve has a length sufficient to extend from the ground to a height to which the post is to be driven and the step of moving the driver includes driving the post into the ground until an upper end of the post is substantially even with an upper end of the sleeve. 
     
     
       17. A method as described in claim 13 wherein the post is flexible and includes a center main body and first and second gullwing portions coupled to the main body and including supporting the gullwing portions of upper and lower regions of the post with the driver and sleeve, respectively, during said step of moving and supporting upper regions of the central main body with a post support member on the driver during said step of moving. 
     
     
       18. A method as described in claim 13 including supporting the full length of the post which is above ground with the sleeve and driver.